
Auto sector shifts into high hear with 10.1% salary hikes in FY25
The automotive industry continues its lead over other sectors in terms of pay hikes, offering double-digit increments, outperforming average single-digit raises for most of India Inc.
Automotive companies will likely issue a 10.1per cent salary hike for FY25 compared to an average more than 8per cent for other Indian corporates, according to Deloitte's 'Performance and Rewards Trends Study' for automotive producers, shared exclusively with ET. Some companies have completed the appraisal process for FY25 in March this year while others are in the process of doing so as their financial year ends in June or even later.
Double-digit salary increases are mostly driven by a high in-demand talent pool across job functions like electric vehicles, R&D, product, digitalisation, automation, AI, and ML, said HR heads at Sonalika Group,
Hyundai Motor India Ltd
(HMIL), and Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd. Top performers are likely to get double-digit or higher pay hikes this year, they said. For the fifth straight year, auto firms will see a double-digit salary increment though the percentage increase will decline for the third year in a row, said Neelesh Gupta, partner at Deloitte India.
Last year, the automotive sector issued a 10.5per cent pay hike. "Despite the drop, automotive producers continue to outpace the India Inc salary increment number which averages at 8.8per cent for FY25," said Gupta.
Salary increase expectations for this year is expected to be in the range of 9.5-10.0per cent, in line with overall auto industry expectations, said Amit Sharma, corporate HR head, Sonalika Group.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Economic Times
17 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Stayflexi onboards Kerala Tourism (KTDC), setting new standards in hospitality tech with AI-powered innovation
In a significant leap for Indian tourism and hospitality tech, Stayflexi, the fast-growing all-in-one property management platform, has announced its partnership with the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), onboarding over 30 of its iconic properties across the state. This move signals a broader shift among state tourism departments embracing innovation—outpacing legacy hotel brands still tethered to clunky and outdated software latest partnership positions Stayflexi as the platform of choice for tourism boards looking to modernise operations, streamline distribution, and drive revenue growth through intelligent automation. After successfully empowering MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation), Stayflexi's onboarding of KTDC solidifies its leadership as a transformative force in government-run globally acclaimed for its lush backwaters, serene beaches, and heritage-rich hill stations, has long attracted travellers seeking tranquillity and cultural richness. KTDC's properties—from beach resorts to hill station retreats—are gateways to these experiences. With Stayflexi's cutting-edge AI technology, KTDC is now poised to redefine guest experiences while achieving operational excellence."Our AI-powered distribution and revenue management will set a new benchmark in the hospitality tech industry," said Preetam Mohan Shetty, CTO at Stayflexi. 'We appreciate KTDC for recognising the importance of innovative and emerging platforms like Stayflexi to stay ahead of the game.'The platform offers seamless channel management, dynamic pricing powered by competitor intelligence, real-time sync with over 100 OTAs, and a robust analytics engine—all from a single dashboard. Properties can now make data-driven decisions in real-time, enabling smarter rate adjustments and optimal inventory Venkatesh Sakamuri, CEO of Stayflexi, this partnership is deeply personal. 'Kerala tourism is close to our heart. I saw KTDC's ad at the San Francisco Airport many years ago. I had a wild thought that we should partner with KTDC one day, and that day has finally arrived. We are incredibly proud and excited,' he heartfelt connection is emblematic of Stayflexi's mission—not just to digitise hospitality, but to elevate the travel ecosystem through thoughtful and user-centric striking in this evolution is how state tourism departments such as KTDC and MTDC are outpacing private hotel chains in tech adoption. Despite their vast scale and brand recognition, large hotel groups remain hindered by outdated, fragmented systems. Stayflexi's swift onboarding process—going live in under two days—is a testament to how modern, agile platforms can drive faster innovation with lower friction.'After empowering India's largest property by inventory and operations, the Isha Foundation, we were super confident about empowering KTDC and its future success. We are grateful for the opportunity,' said Krishna Sasank Talasila, CIO of is not just a PMS; it's a comprehensive platform that brings together booking engines, revenue management, POS systems, guest messaging, reviews management, housekeeping, stock tracking, and expense management under one unified interface. With intelligent automation, properties can offer self-check-in, upsell add-ons like room upgrades, and even use AI to respond to guest reviews and messages across platforms like and properties are now empowered with real-time insights through city demand analytics and competitor price tracking. This enables precision-based revenue strategies, which are critical in today's highly dynamic travel market.A standout feature is Stayflexi's 'MagicLink,' which radically enhances the guest journey. From self-check-in to ordering in-room dining via QR code, the platform reduces dependency on staff while maximising convenience and upsell AI-backed innovation also brings KTDC's heritage properties into the fold of global competition, levelling the digital playing model thrives on strong partnerships—its 30% recurring revenue share with partners and zero-investment onboarding strategy has already helped hundreds of properties switch platforms. The KTDC deal highlights the trust placed in Stayflexi's reliability and innovation by public sector tourism other tourism departments eye similar modernisation, Stayflexi's partnerships with MTDC and KTDC set a powerful precedent. It's no longer a question of if—it's when other states will follow by Y Combinator, Headquartered in San Francisco with a strong presence in Bengaluru, Stayflexi was born out of a vision to unify fragmented hospitality solo boutique hotels to vast government chains, Stayflexi's easy-to-use, highly scalable platform is helping redefine what's possible in hospitality management.


Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kia Carens Clavis MPV deliveries begin: Variants, features, engine options explained
Kia India recently launched the new Kia Carens Clavis premium MPV in the Indian market. The new Kia Clavis is essentially the more premium version of the Kia Carens and features heavily updated exterior design, sharp looks, a new interior, additional features, added safety and much more. The bookings for the new Clavis are already underway. Interested customers can book it online or by visiting their nearest Kia dealership. The booking amount is set at Rs 25,000 and now the deliveries of the premium MPV has begun across India. The Carens Clavis will be offered in seven variants- HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK+, HTK+(O), HTX and HTX+ with prices starting from Rs 11.5 lakh (ex-showroom). Colour options include Ivory Silver Gloss, Pewter Olive, Imperial Blue, Glacier White Pearl, Gravity Grey, Sparkling Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, and Clear White. The Kia Carens Clavis gets same engine options as the Carens. A 1.5-litre turbo diesel with 115 hp, 250 nm. A 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol with 115 hp, 144 nm and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 160 hp power and 253Nm torque. Gearbox options will include a 6-speed MT, iMT and AT for diesel. 6-speed MT only with NA petrol and a 6-speed iMT, MT or a 7-speed DCT with turbo petrol. Kia Carens Clavis first drive review: Carens facelift or more | TOI Auto Design-wise, the MPV features a redesigned exterior, with particular emphasis on the front, where design elements draw influence from Kia's global EV5 styling cues. The grille area appears more streamlined and minimal, flanked by angular LED headlamps and a full-width light bar. Along the sides, the vehicle rides on fresh 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, styled in a pattern reminiscent of a starburst. Inside, the Clavis introduces several enhancements over the standard Carens. It retains a three-row layout, with the second-row seats offering slide and recline functions, plus an electric one-touch tumble feature for easier access to the rear. Technological upgrades include a wide 26.62-inch integrated screen that combines the digital cluster and infotainment controls. Comfort features include ventilated seats in front, an electrically adjustable driver's seat with four-way control, and an audio system by Bose with eight speakers. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof adds to the upscale feel. Additional interior refinements include customizable 64-color ambient lighting, an air purifier embedded in the seatback, overhead air vents with diffused flow, and a multifunction switch allowing users to alternate between infotainment and climate controls. It also gets a Level 2 ADAS suite with features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert proved useful during our Clavis review. Further, six airbags, ABS, hill-start assist, TPMS and all-four disc brakes are standard safety equipment. Image: Aadarsh Kia Mysore Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India .


The Hindu
27 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Watch: New Railway Tatkal rules: Can users beat bots and illegal agents?
Tatkal bookings on IRCTC are a nightmare for most users, as they often compete with bots run by unscrupulous agents. While online booking has helped reduce the long queues at reservation counters and requires nothing more than a mobile phone and an internet connection, it has also become a double-edged sword—especially in the context of Tatkal tickets. An internal analysis by the Indian Railways revealed that in the first five minutes of the Tatkal window, up to 50% of login attempts on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website were made by bots. In this episode of The Data Point, The Hindu Data Team uncovers why booking a Tatkal ticket is challenging for Indian users, often outpaced by unauthorized bots to the finish line. From lakhs of bot logins and lightning-fast scripts to the staggering revenue Indian Railways earns from Tatkal tickets, we break down the complex system of Tatkal bookings in India. Read more: New Tatkal rules aimed at curbing bots and bulk train ticket bookings | Data Presentation and script: Vignesh Radhakrishnan Editing: Sambavi Parthasarathy Camera: Shivaraj S